Director of Government Affairs (EMS 3)

Director of Government Affairs 

This is a remote-hybrid position with onsite work required during legislative session and as needed to support other business operations. 

This recruitment is open to Washington State residents only.

The Opportunity

As the Director of Government Affairs, you will lead the Agency’s legislative and government affairs strategy and serve as a key advisor to executive leadership on state and federal health policy. You will evaluate legislation and policy proposals, develop legislative strategies and recommendations, oversee the Agency’s legislative analysis and communications, and represent the Agency with legislators, legislative staff, the Governor’s Office, congressional offices, state agencies, and other partners.

You will also lead the Agency’s Legislative Affairs and Analysis staff and coordinate work across the organization to develop legislative proposals, prepare testimony and reports, respond to federal policy and rulemaking, and carry out legislative directives. This position reports to Chief Policy Officer in the Strategy, Policy and Innovation division. Through this dynamic work, you will help shape how the Agency responds to policy decisions affecting health care and behavioral health services for millions of Washington residents.   

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead the Agency’s legislative and government affairs strategy, priorities, processes, and communications.
• Advise the Agency Director and executive leadership on legislative policy, health policy, emerging issues, and recommended courses of action.
• Evaluate state and federal legislation and policy proposals to identify impacts, risks, opportunities, resource needs, and strategic considerations for the Agency.
• Develop legislative and health policy proposals, strategies, bill language, and amendments that advance Agency priorities.
• Represent the Agency with legislators, legislative and congressional staff, the Governor’s Office, state agencies, and external organizations on legislative and health policy matters.
• Direct legislative communications and deliverables, including testimony, legislative reports, bill analysis, legislative directives, request legislation, and required lobbying reports.
• Coordinate the Agency’s response to federal rules and policy proposals, bringing together Agency leadership and subject matter experts to develop formal comments and recommendations.
• Lead the Legislative Affairs and Analysis team, setting priorities and ensuring the Agency has the analysis, coordination, and information needed to effectively navigate legislative activity.

Why You’ll Love This Role:

• You’ll work at the intersection of health policy, legislation, government affairs, and executive decision-making on complex issues with statewide significance.
• You’ll have the opportunity to lead a team while working across the Agency and with state and federal leaders on rapidly evolving policy issues.
• Your analysis and recommendations will inform decisions about policies and legislation affecting Washington’s publicly purchased health care and behavioral health systems.
• You’ll help translate legislative and policy decisions into coordinated Agency action that affects health care and behavioral health services available to Washington residents.

What You Bring:

You are a strategic thinker who can quickly make sense of complex health policy and legislative issues and turn that information into clear, practical recommendations. You communicate effectively with executives, policymakers, staff, and external partners and are comfortable representing an organization in high-visibility environments. You bring sound judgment, political awareness, and a collaborative approach to work that often involves competing priorities and perspectives. You approach policy development with cultural humility and an equity lens, considering how decisions may affect Washington communities differently while keeping the Agency’s responsibilities and public service mission at the center of your work.

Required Qualifications 

Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and application. 

• Demonstrated ability to effectively navigate government relations and health policy through professional interactions with Legislators, legislative staff, agency representatives, external stakeholders, or congressional members.
• Extensive expertise with the cyclical processes, procedures and protocols of the legislative process and government organization and administrative functions.
• Demonstrated expertise in health care policy and legislative proposals, and the ability to assess impacts and opportunities particularly as they relate to HCA and its role as a health care purchaser.
• Demonstrated expertise and ability to advise executives on policy and legislative issues.
• Demonstrated expertise communicating effectively with agency management, policy makers, and diverse groups of stakeholders, including representing the agency in public meetings and hearings.
• Demonstrated ability to assess situations and make reasonable independent judgements as necessary to solve problems and the skill necessary to review options and recommended positions on public policy and legislative proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to draft bills, amendments and develop health care policy.
• Demonstrated expertise and skill necessary to lead and manage others in the implementation of strategies to achieve both short and long term goals and objectives.

Required Competencies: 

• Equity Lens – All HCA employees are required to consider equity in their decisions, processes, and day-to-day work, including how their work may affect the people and communities we serve.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow – You take action to learn and grow by seeking new perspectives, learning from experiences, and using what you’ve learned to continuously improve how you work and serve others.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others – You take action to meet the needs of others by listening, understanding different perspectives, and responding with care, respect, and solutions that support the people of the communities we serve.

Preferred Qualifications

While these are not required, having them may help you stand out as an applicant. 

• Master’s degree in health services administration, Health Planning, Public Health, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science or equivalent, or degree in Law, and five (5) years of experience in the areas described above.
• Bachelor’s degree in a field identified above, and seven (7) years of experience in the areas described above.
• Demonstrated experience with Medicaid, Behavioral Health programs, or commercial health insurance options and the health care delivery systems.
• Knowledge of state and federal legislative and budget processes and relevant state and federal laws impacting HCA programs.
• Knowledge of research methodologies and project development.
• Familiarity with statutory authority, administrative operations, and organizational structure of HCA and HCA programs.

What to expect:

This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week position based at our Olympia office. Our standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with alternative work schedules considered based on business needs. (Legislative session hours exceed this schedule.) You’ll work in an office surrounded by shared space, open office environment and regularly collaborate with colleagues, Agency leaders, state and federal partners, and other external partners. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training, or other business needs. All employees are required to report to our Olympia office on their first and final day of employment. 

About the Strategy, Policy, and Innovation (SPI) Division

The Strategy, Policy, and Innovation (SPI) Division helps shape the future of health care in Washington. In addition to coordinating Legislative Affairs, SPI leads and coordinates the Agency’s work on health policy, affordability, health system transformation, and innovative approaches to improving how health care is delivered and paid for. The division brings together policy, data, research, and partnerships to develop and implement strategies that improve access, quality, equity, and health outcomes for people across Washington. 

The Washington State Health Care Authority:

Better Health. Better Care. A Healthier Washington

At HCA, we work to ensure people across Washington have access to high-quality health care. As the state’s largest health care purchaser, we serve nearly 3 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), public and school employee benefits, and behavioral health programs. Together we’re building a stronger Washington. Learn more about HCA by visiting the Voices of HCA and the "Who we are" section of our website.

More than a benefits package: 

We want our employees to have the support, flexibility, and benefits they need to do their best work and build a career that works for their life. As a Washington State HCA employee, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Our benefits are designed to support you today while helping you plan for the future.

Your total compensation is more than your paycheck! We offer:

• Remote work and flexible schedules
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PMFL)
• Retirement options to plan for the future
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs
• Learn more about Washington State Employee Benefits

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace

The Health Care Authority is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees are respected, included, and supported in bringing their experiences, perspectives, and ideas to work. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in how we work together and serve the people of Washington. HCA also supports five voluntary employee-led Employee Resources Groups (ERGs), which create opportunities for connection, community, learning, and professional growth. 

We encourage you to apply

If you meet the required qualifications for this position, we want to hear from you. Desired qualifications describe additional experience, knowledge or skills that may be helpful in the role, but they are not required to be considered for the position. We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives

Application Directions:

To be considered, you must complete the online application in full and submit all required materials. Incomplete applications or applications missing required materials will not be considered. When completing your application, please include the following required materials:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• 3 Professional References: References must be entered directly into the designated references section of your application. We require 3 professional references including at least one current or recent supervisor.

Veterans

We value the experience and skill veterans bring to the workforce and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply. Eligible veterans may qualify for veterans’ preference in accordance with Washington State Law. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, be sure to attach your applicable DD-214 documentation to your application. Please redact your social security number, date of birth, and any other sensitive information before uploading and attaching the document.

Background Check: A criminal background check is required after an offer has been extended and before employment. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from consideration.

Bargaining Unit: This position is not represented by a union and is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Need accommodations or have questions?: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Jake Nelko, Lead Recruiter (HRC 3), at HCAJobs@hca.wa.gov and reference the recruitment title and job number in the subject. 

Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues. 

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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